How are the locations of our temples determined?

Response by Derek F. Metcalfe, managing director of the Church Temple Department.

As set forth by the Lord in the Doctrine and Covenants, a temple is a “holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name … , that I may reveal mine ordinances therein unto my people” (D&C 124:39–40).

The Lord directs where and when his holy houses are to be built, for there are numerous accounts in the scriptures and from Church history of his making his will known to prophets regarding the appropriate locations and times for the erection of these sacred edifices.

Anciently, the Lord gave his prophets detailed instructions regarding the location and structure of the tabernacle, the temple of Solomon, and the temple of Zerubbabel.

As part of the restoration of the gospel in our dispensation, the Lord through holy prophets has again directed his church to build sacred temples to his name. First, he commanded that a temple be built in Kirtland, Ohio. Later, he revealed to his servants the locations for temples in Nauvoo, Illinois, and in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Four days after President Brigham Young arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on 24 July 1847, he walked with other Church leaders to a section of land located between two creeks in the heart of the valley, waved his hands, and said, “Here is the forty Acres for the Temple” (in Journal of Wilford Woodruff, 28 July 1847, Historical Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City). The plot was later reduced to ten acres.

Another account states that President Young struck his cane forcibly on the ground and said, “Right here will stand the Temple of our God” (Millennial Star, 3 Sept. 1888, pp. 561–62.)

Of the revelation he received regarding the location of the Salt Lake Temple, President Young said, “I scarcely ever say much about revelations, or visions, but suffice it to say, five years ago last July I was here, and saw in the spirit the temple not ten feet from where we have laid the chief corner stone. I have not inquired what kind of a temple we should build. Why? Because it was represented before me. I have never looked upon that ground, but the vision of it was there. I see it as plainly as if it was in reality before me. Wait until it is done. I will say, however, that it will have six towers, to begin with, instead of one” (in Discourses of Brigham Young).

In 1924 Elder George Albert Smith, then a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, visited San Francisco, California. As he gazed toward the East Bay hills, he was inspired to prophesy regarding the location of the Oakland Temple. To the mission president, W. Aird Macdonald, he said, “Brother Macdonald, I can almost see in vision a white temple of the Lord high upon those hills. … Yes, sir, a great white temple of the Lord will grace those hills, a glorious ensign to the nations, to welcome our Father’s children as they visit this great city” (Improvement Era, May 1964, p. 380).

The construction of many latter-day temples has been preceded by prophetic utterances as powerful and impressive as those described here, but we need not hear each one to know that the spirit of prophecy and revelation attends the work of temple building in our time.

Regarding these sacred structures, President Spencer W. Kimball made this significant statement at each of several temple dedications he conducted in the 1970s and 1980s:

Enter this door as if the floor within were gold;

And every wall of jewels all of wealth untold;

As if a choir in robes of fire were singing here;

Nor shout nor rush but hush … for God is here.

Temples are the Lord’s holy houses. He guides the selection of the spot where each temple is to be located. He guides the selection of the materials. He guides the selection of people who develop this great program.

As the Church rapidly expands throughout the world and as temples dot the earth in prophetic fulfillment, the Lord’s directing hand will continue to oversee this sacred work of temple building. With a Church membership of nine million, there is a pressing need for more temples in many parts of the world. The Lord has a program in place to anticipate those needs and to respond in an effective manner.

Under the direction of the First Presidency, essential information is constantly being gathered and carefully monitored relative to possible locations of future temples. Data regarding the number of Church members in various parts of the world, member concentrations in those areas, the proximity of existing temples to members, and capacities of existing temples is supplied to the First Presidency to assist them in their deliberations. Inspired statements by past and present Church leaders regarding future temple locations are also considered, and Church leaders visit potential temple sites and seek Heavenly Father’s guidance and will regarding the selection of appropriate sites.

In determining when and where temples should be constructed, the First Presidency carefully weighs Church resources and the needs of Church members. However, it is my experience in serving under the leaders of the Church that such determinations are made only after much prayerful consideration and the receipt of the Lord’s direction.

The Kirtland Temple

The Sydney Australia Temple. (Photo by William Floyd Holdman.)